Bike commuting

[RidetheRAAM4]

With gas prices on the rise and with $4/gallon being expected, I think it is time I try and commute. I got a couple questions for current commuters to try and make my commute easier.

How do you take your lunch with you and a change of clothes? I need to dress fairly nice but my commute is like 25 miles so I will need a change of clothes and shoes. Do you take a lock or did you talk to your boss about leaving it somewhere?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by RidetheRAAM4

With gas prices on the rise and with $4/gallon being expected, I think it is time I try and commute. I got a couple questions for current commuters to try and make my commute easier.

How do you take your lunch with you and a change of clothes? I need to dress fairly nice but my commute is like 25 miles so I will need a change of clothes and shoes. Do you take a lock or did you talk to your boss about leaving it somewhere?

Great topic. I would love to commute but I am in the same bind as you. Nice attire is required, there are no lockers, and no showers here at work since I sweat like mad after a ride.

[el_d00der1n0]

I tried a few times to bring everything with me, but that wasn't really working out, so I make sure these things are waiting for me when I get in:

Deodorant.

A change of clothes & shoes. One time I forgot underwear. That was an uncomfortable day.
Shampoo and Baby Wipes. I have some little travel bottles of shampoo, and I have used either wipes that were unscented or smelled like something other than babies.
A frozen dinner. I have on occasion brought all the lunches I needed for the whole week in on Monday.

Lights. If you start the morning in daylight, but could hit night on the way home, leave the lights at work.

When I get to work, I try to find a bathroom that is somewhat secluded. In a pinch though, you can use the regular restroom if you don't mind getting nekked for your coworkers. I wash my hair in the sink and use paper towels (this is bad I know) to dry off. I use the wet towels to get some of the dirt off as a prewash (I commute on dirt). Then, I use the baby wipes for a last cleaning.

Happy commuting!!!

[hoovermd]

Well, I've been privileged to do it bith with showers and not.

In the case of no showers I compromised on an every other day schedule.

This simplifies the whole clothing thing and allowed me to ride light.

A sponge bath in the mens room is what I ended up with. I am also pretty wet when I ride.

I did modify my schedule to arrive early so as not to be a problem for those who would be offended by my bathing routine.

I have also been known to purchase a little "faucet key" and use the outdoor hose bib

[RidetheRAAM4]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

I tried a few times to bring everything with me, but that wasn't really working out, so I make sure these things are waiting for me when I get in:

Deodorant.

A change of clothes & shoes. One time I forgot underwear. That was an uncomfortable day.
Shampoo and Baby Wipes. I have some little travel bottles of shampoo, and I have used either wipes that were unscented or smelled like something other than babies.
A frozen dinner. I have on occasion brought all the lunches I needed for the whole week in on Monday.

Lights. If you start the morning in daylight, but could hit night on the way home, leave the lights at work.

When I get to work, I try to find a bathroom that is somewhat secluded. In a pinch though, you can use the regular restroom if you don't mind getting nekked for your coworkers. I wash my hair in the sink and use paper towels (this is bad I know) to dry off. I use the wet towels to get some of the dirt off as a prewash (I commute on dirt). Then, I use the baby wipes for a last cleaning.

Happy commuting!!!

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try a back pack out. I have an old road bike I am going to be using. Maybe I can get a rack on the back to store a small duffel bag or something. Some moist towellette things are a good idea. A little deodorant. I think it will be cool enough in the mornings that I wont be totally drenched in sweat. Just need a small bottle of hair spray to make myself look presentable. I jsut think the biggest discomfort will be shoes.

I will try a backpack out on friday and see how it goes. And I will probably take lights, just incase I find a scenic detour on the way home.

[andy aka rut]

I guess I'm kinda lucky. I have to wear a uniform, I have a locker or two and I have my own shower. Phew!

I also have a bob trailer. At first I used to bring that and have my clothes in it, but now I don't need it. Phew again.

A good friend rides her bike to work and uses baby wipes. She also has been caught in the restroom in a sports bra splashing herself off and using paper towels to dry off. Heeeheeeheeeheee

Talk to the boss and see what can be offered for you. My work has a program. We get $90 per quarter for alternate commuting!!!

[Jman]

My plan for the summer is to probably drive into work on my Monday drop off the clothes I'll need (We have lockers) and then just ride in the next four days. I don't really worry about a shower since A.) I work outdoors and will get dirty anyways and B.) I run the pool during the summer so if it's that bad I'll stay out of the uniform and just wear the swim gear! I haven't figured out the lunch part yet!

[faded1004]

i am trying to find a way to bike to work, but i have to go to so many places during the day, i need a car to get back and fourth quickly...

i only work 6 miles away... no shower... but i do have storage available at work.

i have been looking into, the small rack for hte seat post? i think it islike 25 bucks for a nice aluminum one. and it has quick release and stuff. have you looked into that? it might give you just enough room to bring lunch and clothes with out a large backpack?

or do you have to take more, like work stuff?

[RidetheRAAM4]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

I guess I'm kinda lucky. I have to wear a uniform, I have a locker or two and I have my own shower. Phew!

I also have a bob trailer. At first I used to bring that and have my clothes in it, but now I don't need it. Phew again.

A good friend rides her bike to work and uses baby wipes. She also has been caught in the restroom in a sports bra splashing herself off and using paper towels to dry off. Heeeheeeheeeheee

Talk to the boss and see what can be offered for you. My work has a program. We get $90 per quarter for alternate commuting!!!

Well, for now I will only be commuting by bike on fridays when I don't have class. We are relocating to Corona where my bike commute will be shorter and closer to school. Then I will bike commute most likely every day. I am looking at an hour and a half ride for fridays now, but more like 30-45 minutes after the move.

Originally Posted by faded1004

i am trying to find a way to bike to work, but i have to go to so many places during the day, i need a car to get back and fourth quickly...

i only work 6 miles away... no shower... but i do have storage available at work.

i have been looking into, the small rack for hte seat post? i think it islike 25 bucks for a nice aluminum one. and it has quick release and stuff. have you looked into that? it might give you just enough room to bring lunch and clothes with out a large backpack?

or do you have to take more, like work stuff?

The only thing I need to take is safety glasses but thats no biggie

[faded1004]

this is the rack i was kinda looking at. max load is 20 pounds... so not to bad for alittle over 20 bucks. i was lookin into it cause i also want to carry everything on rides with my girlfriend... i figure if i carry every thing for both of us, her ride will be much easier. hope this helps...

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2325

there is a 1 set better one for like 30 that holds 25 pounds... i am thinking clothes and lunch is about 20?

[allison]

Justin and I have commuted each of the past 2 years from time to time. I think we'll start up again next week (probably Tuesday).

We each take a decent sized back-pack. Neither of us dress particularly nicely, but if you live close to work, you can drive in Mon/Friday, or just one day and leave extra clothes? Some people do that here. But, we roll up our clothes, put in the pack. We each leave a pair of shoes at work (we have lockers and a locker room with showers).

In the morning, it's a 4.5mi commute usually not in the heat, so we just use baby wipes (haven't had a problem with smell at all) and get dressed.

We carry breakfast (I usually will just make oatmeal and carry milk in a sealed coffee mug, and Justin brings coffee in the mug and eats something other than oatmeal) and lunch. Packs are usually somewhat heavy, but it's not too long and only about 100-200ft of climbing total.

It's warmer in the evenings, but you're just riding home so no biggie.

I'll sometimes leave stuff (belt, bras, etc.) and I have in my locker an extra pair of jeans, extra socks, undies, etc. just in case I forget something! May not match real well, but it's better than leaving something at home. Try to pack the night before so you aren't in a rush and in a fog from just waking up

If we ride at lunch we usually shower. There's soap in the showers, but otherwise travel stuff would work, and if you can leave a towel for the week that is good also.

[Burner]

ride easy on your way in... and hammer on your way home.

I wish I could bike commute, I'd probably go to my office more... but it's over 40mi each way.

[53-12]

Some things definetly need to be kept at work. For me that was always shoes, they take up too much space in the bag or pack. So I would keep a pair of dress shoes at the office, although most days I could get away with wearing my mtb shoes. Everything else I would bring fresh each day, use the sink to clean up, and leave early enough that I wouldn't have to rush and end up sweating too much. Tried both backpacks and messenger bags - for me backpacks were more comfortable than the bags, but I could wear messenger bags lower and so they covered less of my back and I sweated less. Trade-offs, I guess you have to decide which is more important. If you were to get a messenger bag, I would recommend investing in a good one though, with enough straps to keep it from swinging around.

[Fired Yo Momma]

My work offers no support for bike communting. I used to bring my bike inside my office but my boss is a prick and hates me so he put a stop to that. I had to beg HR to put in a secured bike rack in our building. We have no showers, I don't care I take a shower in the morning to wake me up and when I get to works change and put some deoderant on. I am not hairy so I guess I don't have too much BO. I am going to riding back into work again but I would suggest just keeping your work clothes at work. I work in Anaheim and would ride in from Costa Mesa so I would hammer in to work (no wind in the morning) and take it easy coming home (major head winds).

[Rob]

If you don't want to run a rack and pannier, this looks pretty cool too.

http://carouseldesignworks.com/CDWpage1.html



You could probably get your clothes folded nicely in there without too much wrinkling. Leave shoes at work.

You can also just use a large saddlebag, like from Carradice or Brooks, etc.

[Pho'dUp]

I've been bike commuting a few days a week and really dig it. It's amazing how just 30min. on the bike on the way home and I totally leave everything that happened that day at work on the road.

Great suggestions here. Definitely leave as much stuff at work as you can, like clothes for the next day, especially shoes and lunches.

I'm riding an old Bianchi Volpe touring bike I picked up at a garage sale. Suntour Brifters, tons of mounts for racks. I set it up with a really high rise stem so that I'm more upright and comfortable when carring a backpack with my stuff. I put some high volume cross tires on it so it's super cushy. I ride it more than my road bike.

Bright clothes and plenty of LED blinky lights are a good idea too. I like to use a cheap LED light on my helmet too. You never know when you might have to ride home in the dark. I like the helmet light b/c I can point that thing at drivers when I'm at intersections or merging to make sure they see my azz.

Bike sits in my cubicle with me right next to my STR calendar!

[genusmtbkr5]

Like Andy, I have to wear a uniform or coveralls. I also have a locker to keep my clothes and stuff to freshen up with in. I bring my bike right into our shop at the airport. No showers though so I just wipe down with a face towel in bathroom. I also wear a backpack to bring the dirty uniform home. As far as lunch, I usually have to buy which is the only thing that $uck$, but it's still cheaper than ga$.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by RidetheRAAM4

How do you take your lunch with you and a change of clothes? I need to dress fairly nice but my commute is like 25 miles so I will need a change of clothes and shoes. Do you take a lock or did you talk to your boss about leaving it somewhere?

Lunch: backpack. if it needs to be stored cold, freeze it for an hour before you leave. either that or drive in one day a week and bring the leftovers in on that day- works well.

clothes: pair of brown dress and black dress shoes here under the desk. i'll usually leave at least one pair of the same colored socks in each pair of shoes, just in case.

also, stash extra cash, deodorant, hair stuff (if that's your thing) a belt and underwear in your office. you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget the small stuff.

"personal" wipes are your friend if you don't have a shower. damp paper towels will work in a emergency. I change in the handicap stall here, unless i get here first, then i just change in my cubsicle.

the bike lives in our lunchroom. there's no way i'm leaving my litespeed locked up somewhere. ask yer boss/office manager about bringing it into the office.

also, find out where your service elevator is....assuming this is required (we can go down stairs, but you must take the elevator to go up- even to the 2nd floor- WTF?). most offices don't like a person dressed as a cyclist, wheeling their bikes through the front lobby.

edit: for safety's sake, consider your route. at a previous job, i nearly got put into a concrete barrier by a fast moving van-and don't forget Andy's trip over a car hood. I'm super lucky now that i can do 90% of my commute on a MUT.